Col. Potter, Newman, Little Red Riding Hood and the weekend Garbage Plate

Posted on Friday, February 10th, 2012 and is filed under A10MBB, CBB. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

T.J. McConnell and the Duquesne Dukes come to Olean (Photo courtesy of Duquesne athletics)

By Paul Casey Gotham

Cheeseburger. Mac. Home fries. Everything. Make sure to include the shavings off the grill and onions, plenty of onions. That is how it gets done in Rochester. Rules of decorum be danged. Food for the sake of sustenance. Slop it on and let it stick to the ribs.

Here is your basketball plate for the gorging from the Atlantic 10 to the Metro Atlantic Athletic to the Patriot League. Plenty of meat in the hot sauce this weekend.

Don’t forget to wash it down with something hearty.

It’s February. Time to lay down your money and you play your part, ’cause everybody’s got a huh! huh! hungaree heart!

Friday, February 10

Iona (11-2/19-5) at Loyola (11-2/18-5) 7PM ESPNU

First place is on the line at Reitz Center when Tim Cluess and the Gaels blow in for a tilt with Jimmy Patsos and the ‘Hounds. Since Iona’s victory of Loyola, the ‘Hound have held opponents under 60. That streak should end, but these dogs have an opportunity “to take one moment into their hands.” Dylon Cormier appears to have recovered from his ankle injury. Robert Olson has tallied double figures in nine straight including 21 against Iona.

Loyola by two in overtime.

Saturday, February 11

Duquesne (5-4/14-9) at St. Bonaventure (5-4/12-9) 2PM CBS College Sports

The Dukes converted 18 turnovers into 20 points en route to a 66-52 victory over the Bonnies a month ago at the Palumbo Center. The last time SBU played at the Reilly they turned over the ball just eight times. That trend figures to continue as the Bonnies return to the friendly confines.

Bona by two.

Siena (5-9/10-14) at Canisius (1-13/4-20) 2PM TWSN

Col. Potter, Hawkeye, BJ and Radar should be on hand for this battle between the walking wounded. The Saints have gone with a SIX-man rotation of late. Yes, six men playing. In fact, three Saints (Kyle Downey, Evan Hymes and OD Anosike) rank top 30 in the nation for minutes played. The Saints have yet to win a road game in the MAAC this season. The Griffs will look to get meaningful minutes from point guard Gaby Belardo whose ailing back kept him from Thursday’s loss to Rider.

Canisius by three.

Rhode Island (2-8/5-20) at Charlotte (3-6/11-11) 2PM

A year ago the St. Joseph’s Hawks were 2-8 in the A-10. Phil Martelli and his band won four of five after that and came within three points of the conference championship game. The Runnin’ Rams have that potential. They will need to put behind the demons that harangued them in recent losses to Xavier and Temple and recapture what led them to victories over Dayton and UMass. Billy Baron is becoming a stabilizing presence on the floor. Jonathon Holton has pulled down more than 10 rebounds per over the last eight games. The 49ers beat Fordham last time out. These Rams have something to prove.

URI by three.

St. Louis (7-3/19-5) at La Salle (6-4/17-8) 2PM

SLU leads the A-10 and ranks eighth nationally in scoring defense as opponents have scored just 56.9 points against the Billikens this season. The Billikens have held their opponents 50 points or less on eight occasions so far this season. In addition, teams have scored less than 40 three times. Meanwhile the Billikens have shot 50 percent or better from the field eight times already this season. They accomplished that feat only six times all of last year. But this will be SLU’s second game in a row away from the Arch. The Explorers are coming off a pay of road losses. Kwamain Mitchell will find it a tough with Ramon Galloway draped over him. The Explorers will also find an answer for Brian Conklin.

La Salle by five.

Rider (8-6/11-15) at Niagara (5-9/10-16) 2PM

A first-round bye in next month’s conference tourney is at hand. Rider seems to have it. So, too, might Niagara. The Broncs are feeling the effects of a virus outbreak on campus. Maybe Houlihan and Frank Burns should be on hand at Monteagle Ridge. The Purple Eagles have been wrestling with potential all-season. They have made a living by pressing and trapping this season. The Broncs can do the same. As the old saying goes: pressing teams don’t like to be pressed. Which one will crack? The Purple Eagles will need to slow Novar Gadson in the paint. The Broncs must contain Juan’ya Green.

Niagara by six.

American (7-2/16-8) at Holy Cross (4-5/10-13) 2PM

The Eagles will need to recover quickly from their win over Lehigh. The Crusaders are in search of victories for a chance at hosting a first round game in the conference tournament. Charles Hinkle and Troy Brewer give American too much for Holy Cross to handle – even on the road.

American by seven.

UMass (7-3/18-6) at St. Joseph’s (5-5/15-10) 7PM

If the season ended today, the Minutemen would have their bags packed for Atlantic City. How’s that for surprises. Ronald Roberts connected on 22‐for‐32 (68.7%) of his field goal attempts, while averaging 18.3 points and 5.7 rebounds during a recent three‐game double‐figure scoring streak. St. Joseph’s is coming off a loss. UMass beat Bona at home on Wednesday.

The Hawks claim a six-point triumph.

Colgate (1-8/7-17) at Lehigh (6-3/18-7) 7PM

The Raiders stayed within one of American last weekend earning themselves the label of Newman because they are the PL team most likely to spoil someone’s good time. Lehigh is coming off a loss…at home…

Mountain Hawks by seven.

Xavier (7-3/16-8) at Temple (7-2/18-5) 9PM ESPN2

The Thrilla in Liacouras! The Owls, winners of seven straight, haven’t lost at home since January seventh. TU is hitting better than 51 percent (194-377) from the field during the win streak. All the better to see you with my pretty. The Owls are the ones in plain sight with the Musketeers playing the role of hunter. Tu Holloway hasn’t looked himself since the day we don’t need to discuss. Saturday night would show Holloway as one who possesses great timing.

XU by two.

Sunday, February 12

Fairfield (9-4/14-10) at Loyola (11-2/18-5) 4PM ESPN3

Prior to the season it looked like the records of these teams would be flipped. Fairfield struggles to score from the perimeter. Add to that Ryan Olander’s foul woes, and one gets a 9-4 conference mark. Visiting Reitz won’t make things any better. Erik Etherly and Robert Olson lead the way.

Loyola by five.

Marist (4-9/9-15) at Iona (11-2/19-5) 7PM

The Red Foxes could make this interesting. Especially if the Gaels beat Loyola on Friday. If Iona loses? This one could reach baby-treating-a-diaper status.

Iona by 22.

The Chinchillas have a suggestion as to what best washes down a plate.